How do helicopters pitch and yaw?

When the pilot moves the cyclic (stick,) s/he pushes tilts the swashplate. Tilting the swashplate changes the angle of attack of each blade as it spins throughout [math]360^o[/math]. read more

By varying the angle of attack of the tail rotor, the anti-torque force can be continuously adjusted. Decrease the force and the helicopter will yaw in the opposite direction of the main rotor rotation. Increase it and it will yaw in the direction of the main rotor rotation. read more

Applying the pedal in a given direction changes the tail rotor blade pitch, increasing or reducing tail rotor thrust and making the nose yaw in the direction of the applied pedal. Throttle Edit. Helicopter rotors are designed to operate at a specific rotational speed. read more

Stability and control are much more complex for an airplane, which can move freely in three dimensions, than for cars or boats, which only move in two. read more